Select Page

Libra Industries is a privately held electronics contract manufacturing company that has been in business for more than 35 years. For more than 28 of those years, the company has partnered with Juki Automation Systems (JAS), Inc. Through its partnership with Juki and its Juki lines, Libra Industries has increased its capacity, and improved its component placement speed and accuracy. The Juki lines help Libra Industries maintain a cost competitive-advantage that, in turn, benefits Libra Industries’ customers.

Libra Industries was founded back in 1980 when the EMS industry was just getting started. Since then, the company has steadily grown because of its ongoing dedication to investing in people, quality systems, and the latest manufacturing technology and processes.

Horizon Sales considers Libra Industries as one of its top customers and Juki as its number one supplier. Horizon supplies Libra Industries with state-of-the-art equipment, helping them achieve best-in-class status in their market. President Dave Trail works closely with both Juki and Libra Industries, to stay a step ahead of the technology curve. Horizon Sales continues to grow and mature as a company, much as the SMT and electronics assembly industry has matured and diversified over the years. This evolution in technology and capability is evident in the precise yet flexible manufacturing cells that are present throughout Libra’s factories.

“Dave Trail is one of the best equipment reps we have dealt with in our 38-year history. He is extremely responsive, resourceful and helpful,” commented Rod Howell, CEO of Libra Industries. “Our relationship with him has been filled with honesty and integrity.”

Libra Industries has four Juki lines in its Mentor, OH facility, and two high-speed Juki lines at its Dallas facility. The lines are extremely reliable and flexible. Howell said, “As a contract manufacturer, we deal with a wide variety of products. One of the benefits of the Juki lines is that they are very flexible – this includes their quick-change feeder carts and ease of programming.” He added that they provide many cost benefits, helping to make customers more competitive and profitable.

“Juki has been a wonderful partner for us – our partnership has been extremely helpful and beneficial for us,” stated Howell. “Juki is one of the most user-friendly equipment vendors that we have dealt with in our history. They are always cooperative and responsive, pleasant, professional, and a joy to deal with. Additionally, we believe their equipment is some of the best in the industry.”

The newest line, purchased in 2015 for Libra Industries’ Lake County, OH facility (Plant 3), consists of a GKG Precision Machine Paste Printer, KE-2070E, KE-2080E, TR6DER and Shenzhen JT Automation RS-800II 8 zone oven.

Howell and former CEO of JAS, Inc., Bob Black, met more than 28 years ago at a trade show in Las Vegas. In 2014, Howell presented Black with its first annual Strategic Partnership Award in 2014 for providing attentive, consistent customer service over the years.

“Juki provides over-the-top customer service,” commented Howell. “They are one of the most, if not the most, user-friendly and responsive strategic partners we have ever dealt with. Between Bob Black and Bill Astle with Juki, and Dave Trail with Horizon Sales, if Libra needs something – even if it is outside of their offerings, they make it happen.”

Libra Industries has been a premier provider of custom manufacturing solutions focused on delivering world-class service to quality conscious customers for more than 35 years. The company provides integrated EMS, serving OEMs with complex or technologically sophisticated manufacturing requirements in a broad range of industries including medical/instrumentation, military/aerospace, industrial, communications and transportation industries. Four world-class manufacturing facilities allow Libra Industries to provide customers with manufacturing flexibility including PCB assembly, complete box build and systems integrations from simple to complex assembly. Libra Industries’ goal is to provide customized solutions to help make its customers more competitive and improve their profitability.

With an ongoing commitment to investment in people, quality systems, and the latest manufacturing equipment and processes, Libra Industries is committed to managing their clients’ products from initial design and prototype to full production; assisting their clients in their efforts to improve time to market, reduce total systems cost, and increase quality.

“As a business owner, several things are important when it comes to strategic suppliers: you need to make sure you partner with someone who will win over the long haul (whether it is because of technology or financial viability),” explained Howell. “We are very loyal to our strategic equipment suppliers. Also, very important is the company culture – Juki’s culture aligns well with ours.”

JAS, Inc., an international leader in high-speed SMT Assembly equipment, has shipped more than 40,000 machines worldwide since 1987. The company has built its global image with a combination of top-quality and high-reliability machines with a reputation for world-class service and support that result in the lowest production costs for its customers. Juki machines have about 30 percent U.S. made content by cost. The pioneer of the modular assembly system in 1993, Juki offers flexible solutions designed for both high-volume and high-mix environments. For more information, visit www.jukiamericas.com.

Over the last 35+ years, Libra Industries has earned an impressive list of industry credentials including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, FDA, ITAR, UL, CSA, NIST, and AS9100 among others. Libra Industries is committed to providing customized manufacturing solutions to help make its customers more competitive and improve their profitability. For more information, visit www.libraind.com.